Slane College Faculty, Alumni Receive Founder's Day Recognition

October 18, 2011

One professor and two graduates receive prestigious awards at annual University event.

By Ivy Hillman '12

Slane College saw great success at the 2011 Founder's Day Convocation. One Slane College department chair and professor was awarded the Putnam Award for Teaching Excellence, while one graduate was awarded the Outstanding Young Graduate Award and another was inducted into the Centurion Society.

Dr. Paul Gullifor was the recipient of the Putnam Award for Teaching Excellence, the University's most prestigious faculty distinction. Gullifor is the chairperson of the Department of Communication, holds the Henry Means Pindell Endowed Chair in Communication, and is a professor of sports communication and television arts. He received a B.A. and M.A. from Indiana State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Missouri.

Eric Brinker '98 was the recipient of the Outstanding Young Graduate Award. Brinker is currently the president of the Peoria Metro Leasing Company of Peoria that includes Metro Centre. In addition, he is active with Susan G. Koman for the Cure®, a charity organization dedicated to breast cancer awareness founded in memory of his aunt, Susan Koman. Brinker was an original member of the JetBlue Airlines marketing team.

"The education I received at Bradley has given me the confidence I needed to succeed in the business world and with my Susan G. Koman charitable work," Brinker said.

Despite his deep community involvement and career success, Brinker was surprised to be selected for the award.

"It's quite a prestigious award. I was really touched that I was even considered for it. I was ecstatic," Brinker said.

Charles Ebeling '66 was one of four alumni inducted into the Centurion Society at this year's Founder's Day Convocation. Ebeling was the corporate communications officer of McDonald's® from 1985-2000. He named Dr. Paul Snyder as his mentor during his time at Bradley. "He taught me how to write," Ebeling said.

Ebeling is still very much involved with Bradley, as he created the Ebeling PR-ize in 2004, which is awarded to the winning public relations campaign in COM 480. Dr. Ron Koperski, associate professor of public relations, said that Ebeling is also involved through class visits and "videoconferences with introductory and advanced public relations classes."

With a professor and a graduate winning awards and another graduate inducted into the Centurion Society all in one year, it's clear the Slane College remains dedicated to fostering strong leadership and successful students.